How to Decorate for the Holidays with Sam Allen

Evergreens aren’t the only option for dressing the door. Allen chose magnolia this year, but is also fond of boxwood. “I like to keep it simple,” says Allen. He selected an unadorned wreath and trimmed it with a vintage red and white ribbon. He found this faux magnolia wreath at Terrain and loves the fact that it can be used year after year.

A formal living room is decked with soothing neutrals (no screaming red and green here). The mantel is swagged with a magnolia garland from Terrain and paired with tall branches for height, sourced from Diane James Home, and placed in glass hurricanes. A French bamboo armoire sports a faux-fur white wreath placed in front of the mirror and is topped with faux gray fur and glass-glittered sphere trees. “I am a firm believer in using your collections,” says Allen. Glass cloches are used to display silver-colored ornaments on a cake stand and a decorative faux-fur tree sits atop a stack of books. Stockings in French linen—purchased by Allen on a buying trip—are hung by the stone fireplace

When setting the table, Allen builds around a theme—this year it was mixing metallics. He layered in silver and mercury elements with vintage glassware trimmed in gold. To create visual interest, he plays with scale and proportion. Oversized mercury spheres were placed inside fluted etched-glass vases. For a touch of whimsy, centerpieces were adorned with mini cream-colored feather wreaths.

Allen believes fresh flowers are a must for a holiday table. In this case, he chose red roses for a pop of color arranged in silver mint julep cups. Miniature glitter wreaths surround the base of each vase. Allen encourages his clients to bring out their best china and family heirlooms. This table is set with his family’s Wedgewood plates and Tiffany silver.

Allen’s home is filled with beautiful collections, but he adds seasonal touches to up the impact during the holidays. “I am obsessed with blue and white ginger jars and have been collecting them forever,” says Allen. “To make this vignette more festive, I added glass glitter trees in various sizes and filled a pair of ginger jars with green and white parrot tulips.” Elegant white orchids are flanked by winterberries that lend a subtle touch of red.

Allen spreads sparkling elements throughout the house—not just on the tree. He groups one-of-a-kind, like-colored ornaments in containers. Here, he used a large silver bowl on a console from Millie Rae’s. Oversized, glittery-green pinecone ornaments and natural pinecones are scattered throughout, for a festive arrangement.

Allen looks for ways to spread joy. Vintage stone hounds he found at the Antique and Artisan Gallery are festooned with silver wreaths. “I love the idea of giving my guests a taste of what’s to come before they enter my home,” says Allen.